Feeler-motion for looms



E. S. STIMPSON.

FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION F ILED JAN.3. 1916.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD S. STIMPSON, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO DRAPEB. CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE. i

FEELEB-MOTION FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed January 3, 191& Serial No. 69,739.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Enwmn S. S'rnrrsox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the County of lVorcester and State of Massachusctts, have inventcd an Improvement in l"cele--\lotions for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification. like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinaftcr described relates to feeler motions for loons. and more particularly to feeler motions ot' that type wherein, upon substantal exhauston ot' the filling in the shuttlc, the feeler s moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier to place a train of ncchanism in operative condition for effecting replenishment of the filling or otherwise changing the loom operation. I

Such replcnishment of filling may be effectcd either by changing the shut-tle containing the sibstantially-exhausted filling for another provided with a workngsupply, or by changing the' filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle for one provided with a fresh supply'of filling; and while either of these systems of replenishment may be employed in connection with the present invention, the following description will refer more particularly to the invention as associated with that system wherein the filling carrier or bobbin is changed in the shnttle.

In the general class of feeler motions referred to, the feeler is usually provided with an end portion adapted to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat of the lay and be prevented from movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle or filling carrier by engagement with the wound mass of filling when a working supply is present, but when the filling is substantially exhausted and is no longer capable of' resisting the `tendency of the feeler to move longitudinally of the shuttle, the feeler is permitted to move in said direction to thereby cause a train'of mechanism to become effective to replenish the filling. Where the feeler is of that type wherein means other than the forward pressure of the filling carrier is employed to impart to the feeler its movement longitudinally of the shuttle, it is necessary after the feeler has been gven its long&- tudinal movement and replenishment of filling has been elected, to return it to its ini tial or feeling position against the action of said means, that it may thereafter perform its function in relation to the fresh supply of filling.

On each detecting beat the feeler should be held from movement responsive to the means for moving it in a direction leggi tudnally of the shuttle, until the 'critical point in the beat-up movement of the lay is reached, that is. until in the forward movement of the lay, the end of the feeler has engaged the filling on the bobbin or carrier, and at such time the fecler should be set free to respond to said moving' means in case the filling has become substantially exhausted. As the lay moves` back, after a detectng action by the feeler, the feeler again should be locked from movement responsive to its moving means.

An important feature of the present invention, thcrcfore, consists of means copcratmg with a moving part of the loom' for returning' the feeler to proper feeling position after a replenishing operation, and actng on each dctecting beat to prevent movementot' the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle after the critical point of the feeledetection has been passed, and as the lay moves back, if the feeler has not detected substantial exhaustion of filling. This feature of the invention may be carried into efi'ect by means coperating with the weft hammer or other Operating element to prevent movement of the 'eclcr longitudinally of the shuttle if such movement of the feeler has been previously prevented b the mass of filling in the shuttle during tie feeling action of the feeler as the lay beats up.

It is frequently desirable to operate the loom without laying filling in the shed. In

such case it is 'usual to remove the shuttle tudinally of the shuttle when the loom ia being operated without filling or without the shuttle. When the filling carrier or shuttle is returned to the loom, it is important that the feeler should at once become effective to indicate the condition of the filling; 'and to' this end another feature of the invention consists' in automatically freeing the feeler from said holding means when the loom is operated with the filling carrier present.

Other features of the invention and combinationof'parts comprsed thereunder will be herenafter described and the invention will be definitely set forth by the clains.

In the drawings s Figure l is a plan view showing sufficientparts of the loom frame and loom elements to make clear the' Construction and operation of the present invention;

Fig. 2- s a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

I Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged detail partly in section, and showing more particularly the relation of the we'ft hammer or other operating element and the end of the Swing arm or controller;

F ig'. 5 is a detached detail showingthe feeler in locked position and the relation "of feeler parts when the loom is to be run without filling; and

F ig. 6 is a persp'ective showing the end of the swing arm or controller and its slide, some of the parts being broken away.

The feeler motion constituting the present invention is especially adapted for use in connection with automatic looms wherein,

upon substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shu-ttle, a new supply of filling is furnished, but obviously, the invention may be employed in connection with some other train of meohanism.

The feeler constituting an element of the present invention is of that character which, upon substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, may be moved longitu'dinally of the shuttle to initiate the replenishing operation. In the illustrated form of the invention, the feeler oomprises the part 1 carrying the feeler member 2 which, on each detecting beat, enters through a slot in the shuttle-box as usual, and through a slot 3 in the side of the shuttle 4 and' feels for the condition of the filling on the bobbin or carrier 5 with- .ing replenishment.

, the stop shoul-ders 13 of the feeler member 2, the constructio being such that the feeler member 2 will be normally forced yieldingly toward the lay with the shouldered portions 13 in contact 'with the bridge 10. The feeling end of the feeler member 2 is provided with the teeth or roughened end' 14, the construction being such that the roughened or toothed end 14 of the feeler member 2 will engage the filling mass within the shuttle on each'detecting beat and prevent movement of the -feeler longitudinally of the shuttle, should a working su-pply of filling be present, but permit such movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle, should the filling be substantially exha usted.

In 'order that the stand 7 may be adjustably connected to the bracket 8, the said stand is provided with the slot 15 through whi-ch passes the bolt 16 for adjustably holddetecting beat of the lay, the feeler member 2 will engage the filling mass or the bobbin itself in case the filling has become substantially exhausted and will be moved toward the front as indicated in Fig. 1, against the tension of the spring 12.

Extending transversely of the loom is the usual transverse or change shaft 17 which is suitably associated 'with a train of mechanisni for efi ecting filling replenishment When said transverse or change shaft 17 has a: rocking movement imparted thereto, as will presently appear. The filling replenishing mechanism, as well as the train of the connecting parts between the transverse or change shaft 17 and such mechanism are not herein shown and described, because their particulars of structure form no essential part of the present invention and are well -understood by those skilled in the art.

Secured to the shaft 17 is the arm 18 extending upward therefrom and having operatively connected thereto at 19, the arm 20. If the arm 20 is moved frontward or to the right, F'ig( 3, it will cause rocking movement to be imparted to the shaft 17 and 'through the train of mechanism herein'before referred to,'efi`ect initiation of fill- Since movement of the arm 20 initiates replenishment, it will .h'ereinafter be termed the actuator, for identification, 'but such term is one of identificathe shuttle, so 'that upon substantial exhaustion of the filling on the detecting beat such longitudinal novenent of the teeler may take place and eflect filling replenishment. As one form of means for thus acting upon-the feeler, the present embodinont of the invention shows a swing arm or con troller 21 Figs. 1 and 4, pivotally connected to the actuator 20, said swing arm or controller being normally under the influence of'a Spring for moving or swinging said arm or controller in a direction to cause movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle through the interposed eonnections, as Will presently appear.

In the present instance, the Swing arm or controller 21 'is pivot-ally connected to the actuator 20 by a pin 22 extending upward from the actnator 20. A spring 23 surrounds the pin 21, one end of the said spring being connected to a cap-piece 24 Secured by a pin 25 to the pivotal pin 22, and the other end of said spring being connected at 20 to the Swing arm or eontroller 21, the Construction being such that the said spring 23 normally acts to turn the Swing arm contraclockwise, viewing Fig. 4:. or in a direction to impart movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle through interposed conneetions to be described. In order that the Swing arm 21 may be limited in its movement under the impulse of the spring' 23, a suitable limiting stop 27 is extended from the actuator 20 and adapted to be engaged by a shouldered portion 28 of the Swing arm or controller, as indicated in Fig. 4'.

The feelerr is connected to the Swing arm or controller so that the feeler and Swing arm or controller move in unison. As a convenient means for efl'ectingthis connection` the part 1 of the feeler and the Swing arm or eontroller are each provided with a flange or projection 29 having suitable holes or openings 30 for engagement by the end por tions of the connecter 31 which, as illustrated in Fig. 2` is preferably t'ormed as a rod and is made adjustable in length by the turn-buckle 32, the construction being such that should the Swing arm or controller move upon its pivotal mounting 22 such movement Will be'imparted to the 'feeler and cause it to be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

As hereinbe't'ore noteih the present invention provides means 'tor preventin; movcment of the teeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle after the critical point of fceler action is passed, should the feelrr have found a working supply of filling present in the shuttle on its feeling action. Should the feeler have. detected a substantial exhanstion ot' filling in the shuttle, however. and have in mnsequence, been moved by the Swing arin or controller in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, the in\'en tion further contenplates the provision ot' means tor returninr the feelcr to its feeling; position prior tothe next detecting beat.

The swing arm or controller 21. in the present instant-e ot' the invention is provided with a slotted end portion 33, Fig. 4, in which is movably mounted the slide 34. suitable stop or pin may be employed for linitin` the slide in the slotted end of the Swing arm or controller, and in order that said slide may not move too freely, a spring finger 36 secured at 37 to the Swing arin or controller has its end 38 extended through an opening in the side wall of the Swing arm or controller to bear against the side portion of the slide 33, the Construction being such that while the slide 34: may move longitudinally with relation to the Swing arm or controller, aecidental or undesired movement thereof will be prevented by the limiting efi'ect of the spring finger 36.

The slide 34- is provided with an incline shonldered portion 39, Fig. i, and a socketed portion 40 tor a purpose that will presently appear. The Swing arm or controller 21 has a lug: 41 which` when the filling in the shuttle has become substantially exhausted, may be moved by the Swing arm or controller into the path of an Operating part 42. The part 42 maybe appropriately connected to some moving element of the loom, and in the present instance of the invention 'it is shown as connected by a finger or arm 43 to the weft hammer 44, only a portion of which is indicated in Fig. 3. At one side of the lug 41 of the Swing arm or controller is a slot 4:5 adapted to be engaged by the operating part 42 provided theswing arm or controller is prevented from moving laterally under the impulse of its spi-in 23 by reason of the engagement of the feeihr with a working supply of filling in the shuttle on the detecting movement of the lay; and as the lay moves back after the deteeting action oi" the teeler has been completed, the operating part 42 still engaging the slot 45 of the swing arm or controller will prevent movement ot the Swing arm or controller under the impulse of its actuatingspring 23. As the Operating part 42 moves frontward, Fig. -t, and engages the slot +5 in the swing arm or controller, it nccts the edge portion +0 of the slotted slide 34 and. perfol-ce moves the slotted slide 34 with it as it progresses toward the front portion of the slot 45. As the Operating part 42 moves rcarwardly and approaches the ontcr portion of the slot it finds the slot +0 of the slide in position to be engaged by the rearwardly noving part +2, so that as the part 42 continues rearwardly to complote its rea'ward movement` it carries the slide Z--i with it and. being engaged with the slot 40 of the slide EH, prevents movement of the swing arm or controller under the impulse of its actuating spring Should the feeler have found a condition of substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, then, as the Operating part 42 moves forward, the feeler would not be prevented'` from movement longitudinally of the shuttle owing to the absence 'of sufiicient filling in the shuttle, and the Swing arm or controller 21 will thereupon respond' to the demands'of its spring 2.3 as the Operating part 42 moves forward, Fig. 4, .out of the slotorrecess 40 of the slide, and the lug 41 will be placed in 'the path of the Operating part 42, thereby 'feeling position prior to the next detectngi movement ofthe lay.

As hereinbefore indicated, it is sometimes desirable to'run the loom without laying the filling in the shed or Without the filling carrier or shu ttle, and in such case, if means are not provided to prevent movene-nt of the feeler longitudinally' of the lay, the Swing arm or controller will move the feeler in such direction as soon, as the Operating part 42 has disengaged the slotted portion 40 of the slide 34 and thereby 'position the lug 41 for engagement b the Operating part 42 and efi'ect filling rep enishment. Filling replenishment, however is not desired at this time, and the present invention, therefore, contemplates means controllable at the will of theoperator for preventing longitudinal movement of the feeler When the loom is being run without laying the filling, or when the shuttTe' is absent therefrom. As before noted, also, it is desirable that When the shuttle is returned to the loom or the filling carrier is placed in the loom, on the following detecting beat, the feeler should be released from its locked position and the present invention, therefore, contemplates that on such first detecting movement after the shuttle or filling carrier has bee-n. returned to the loom, the feeler shall be automatically released, so that thereafter it may move longitudinally of the shuttle whenever the filling supply has become substantially exhausted.

in the present form of the invention, there is pivotaliymounted at 47, Figs. l

and 5, a catch 48 having a shouldered part' 49 ada'pted to engage the feeler to prevent longitudinal movement of the feels?, substantiaily as indicated in Fig. 5, in the present instance the shouldered portion of the catch 48 is adapted to engage bridge ll of the feeler part l, but obviously the catch n'ay be variosly contrived to engageany suitable portion of the feeler part 1 to effect its locking function. W'hen the catch 48 has been moved into its looking or holding position and the loom isoperated Without fill-ing, the feeler member 2 will not be moved frontward on the detecting movementof the lay, and since the feeler cannot move longitudinally of the'shuttle by reason 'of the operative position of the catch 48, the Swing arm or controller 21 will also v be locked, the Construction being such that` underthe conditions described, the operating part 42 will [move frontward, without' engaging the projection, 41 of the swing arm or controller and the loom :will continue to run without :efecting filling.` replenishment. In order that the catch' 48 or other means employed for looking the feeler as described may ;be automatically thrown out of looking position when the filling carrier or shuttle is returned to the loom, the catch may be provided With the part to be operated by the' feeler member 2, as the latter moves frontward during the beat-up. In the present 1nstance the catch 48 is provided with a pro ecting finger 50, Fig. 5, which is extended into the path of the outer end porton of the feeler member 2, so that as the feeler member 2 moves frontwardly under impact of the filling mass in the shuttIe, or the filling carrier, 'the catch 48 will be tripped or thrown into inoperative position as indicated in Fig. 1. q

The actuator 20 is movable toward and from the front of the loom, and may be appropriately supported for this movement by having its inner portion resting upon a suitable under guide and against a side guiding 105 element, but this feature of the Construction and its details may be varied-between wide limits and forms no essential 'feature of the invention. e

Various changes may' be made in the par- 110 ticulars of structure which is herein illustrativeof one embodiment of the present invention, and still be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of an Operating member movable toward and from the front of the loom, a controller, means normally acting to move the controller into operative' relation with the 12 Operating member, a feeler connected to the controller and held :from movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by engagement with the filling as the lay beats np until the filling is substantially exhaust- 125 ed, and a slide on the controller adapted to engage the Operating member on the backward movement thereof to prevent 'movement of the feeler ;trom 'feeling position as the lay moves back prevent :movement ofxthe controller into i operative relation with said member `until said member has started on its Operating stroke and then to be disengaged therefrom to permit movement of the controller into operative relation with said member, a feeler i connected to the eontroller and held from i movement longitudinal of the' shuttle by engagement with the ng when a working supply is present to preventmovement of the controller into operative relaton with i the Operating member when freed from engagement with the slide.

= 3. In a feeler motonfor looms, the combination of an operating member. a controller,`

means normally aeting upon the controller tending to move it into operatve relaton to the Operating member, a slide movable relatively to the controller and aeting through engagement with the actuatng member to prevent movement of the controller into operative relation with said member during part of the movement of said member, and a feeler connected'to the controller and acting by contact with the filling when a Workingsupply is present to prevent movement of the controller into operative relation with the said member during another part of the movement of said member.

4. In a feeler motion for looms, the combi-` nation of an Operating member, a controller, u

means normally acting to move the controller into operative relation with the operating member, and means movable with and relatively to the controller and coperating with the operatingmember to prevent movement of the controller in response to said normally actingnieans during part of the movement of the Operating member.

5. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of an Operating member, a controlley means normally acting to move the con troller into operative relation With the operating member, means movable with and relatively to the controller coperating with the Operating member to preventmovement of the controller in response to said normally acting means during art of the movement of the Operating mem er, and a feeler c0nnected 'to the controller and acting by contact with the filling when a workine supply is present in the shuttle to prevent move ment of the controller in response to its normally acting means during the remainder of the movement of the Operating member. i

6. A feeler motion for looms, comprising a feeler to feel 'for the filling in the shuttle,

1 nally of the shuttle as it performs its ;feela controller connected to the feeler, means acting to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, an u Operating member, a devce mounted on and movable relatively to the controller and having a part adapted to be engaged by the operatmg member on its backward movement to restore the feeler to feeling position after a call for filling replenishment.

7. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler for detecting the condii tion of the filling in the shuttle, means normally acting to move the feeler longitndii ing function, said feeler being prevented from responding to said means by the filling u in the shuttle until it has become substantially exhausted, and means rendered effective at will to prevent feeler movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

8. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler for detecting the condition of the filling in theshuttle and movable frontward thereby` means normally acting` upon. the feeler as it performs its feeling function and tending to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, said feeler beingpprevented from such longitudinal movement by the filling in the shuttle until it has become snbstantially exhausted, and manually controlled means rendered effective at will for lockingthe feeler from such long'itdinal movement when the loom` is being run without the shuttle and adapted 100 to be automatically actuated to unloek the feeler when the shuttle is restored.

9. In a feeler motion for loons, the combination of a feeler adapted to feel for the filling in the shuttle as the lay beats up, means 0 for moving it in a direction long'itudinally of the shuttle when a working supply of filling is not presented to the eeler` and manually positioned means for holding the' feeler from -snch longitudinal movement when the loom 110 is run without the shuttle, said feeler being automatically freed from said manually positioned holding means when the shuttle is restored and the loom operated.

10. In a feeler motion for looms, the com- 115 bination of a feeler mounted 'for movement long'itudinally of the shuttle, means for movinr the feeler longitndinally of the shuttle to initiate filling replenishment when a working supply of filling fails to be present- 120 the loom to be run without laying filling in 125 the shed, said manually positioned means` becoming a'tomatically iueliective when the w loom is run with a filling carrier.

ll. ln a feeler motion for looms the combination of a pivotally mountecl feeler 13@ adapted to feel for the filling in the shuttle, means tending to Swing the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shutt-le When the feeler performs its feeling ;function and effecting such longitudinal movement When the filling has become substantially exhausted, a devce manually movable at will to prevent such longitudinal swinging movement of the feeler when a filling carrier is not presented to the feele'r as the lay beats up, said device becoming automatically ineffective when the loom is run With a filling V carrier present.

12. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler comprising a feeler member -aclapted to be moved frontward by the filling carrier in the shuttle as the lay beats up, means for moving it longitudinally of the shuttle When a Working' supply of filling fails to "be presented thereto, a catch for prevent-ing such longituclinal movement of the feeler when a filling carrier fails to be presented to the feeler member, and a part connected to said catch to be engaged by the feeler member as the lay beats up- With a filling carrier in the shuttle to free the feeler from control of the catch.

:13. In a feeler motion for looms, a feeler adapted to feel for the filling in the shuttle, means for noving it longitudnally of the shuttle when the filling has become substantially exhausted or the loom is run without.

a filling carrier, means for -initiating filling replenishment and a catch movable at will into position to hold the feeler from such longitudinal movement. I

14. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler, means 'for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, an operating member, a controller, relative position-determining means between :the operating member and controller including a slide, and means tr restraining too free movement of the slide.

15. In a feeler motion' for looms, the combinatien of a feeler, means for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, an operating member, a controller, relative position-(letermining means between the oper- 'ating member and controller including a slide movable relative to the Operating meinber and controller.

16. `In a feeler motion :for looms, the combination of a feeler, means for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, an

the Operating member and controller ,in-

cluding a slide mounted on the controller and having a slbttecl portion to permit movement of the controller and Operating member into operative re1ation, and another portion to lock the Operating member and controller from movement nto operative relation.

. 18. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising a feeler, means for mo ving the feeler l'ongitudinally of the shuttle when it fails to engaged by a working supply of filling on a detecting beat, and means for locking the feeler from such movement when the loom is being run without filling.

19. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler, means for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle to efl'ect initiation of fillin repl-enishment, a looking catch for loc ing the feeler from such longitudinal movement when the loom is run without filling, and an unlocking finger for tripping the catch and nnloeking the feeler when the loom is run with filling present.

20. A feeler mechanisn for looms, comprising, in conbination, a feeler, means for moving the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle to efiect initiation of filling replenishment, a looking catch having a shoulder for looking the feeler ;from such longituclinal movement, and means for` automatically tripping the catch when the loom is run With filling present.

21. In a feeler motion for looms, thecombination of a feeler movable long'itudinally of the shuttle and held 'from such movement by the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion of filling, and means tor-locking the :feeler from such longitndinal movement whefrthe loom is run without filling;

ntestimony whereoit I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD S STIMPSON. 

